A premiership footballer accused of spitting at a young Boro fan at the Riverside Stadium will plead not guilty to the charge, a court heard.

Bolton Wanderers star El Hadj-Diouf, 24, is charged with disorderly conduct after the alleged spitting incident on November 7 last year. The on-loan striker is accused of spitting a mouthful of drink into the crowd after being substituted.

Middlesbrough schoolboy James Shields, of Colliers Green, complained that the Senegalese international spat at him during the 1-1 draw last year.

At the first listing of the case at Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday Diouf did not appear.

Instead his solicitor sent a letter to the court indicating that he will plead not guilty.

The case was adjourned until late next month .

Magistrate chairman Ken Bibby said that he expected Diouf to appear on that date.

The 30-cap striker is on loan at Bolton Wanderers from Liverpool.

He was signed by Gerard Houllier for Liverpool for £10m in 2002 from French club Lens. He has won 30 caps for his country and twice been named African Player of the Year.